Chapter 24: She Did It on Purpose

Xiao Jinghuai felt a tightness in his chest from sheer indignation. Pointing an angry finger at her, he demanded, "I was about to finish that beast off myself—did I need you to save me?"

"Your Highness, it was right on top of you and nearly took your life. I saved you out of the kindness of my heart, and yet you are so ungrateful. You truly disappoint me!" Su Yunqing threw his own words back at him, her expression so convincing that it seemed entirely genuine.

Xiao Jinghuai’s eyes widened in disbelief. He could not fathom how someone could justify stealing points with such unearned self-righteousness—conveniently forgetting that he had done the exact same thing moments before.

"Su Yunqing, if you hadn't interfered, those points would be mine! You stole them, and you won't even admit it!" He was so choked with fury that he could barely breathe; the frustration was suffocating.

"Your Highness, do not think that using such tactics will win my attention. I tell you, our engagement is already annulled. Stop being so conceited, and quit trying to cling to me!" She mirrored his previous tone, amplifying her disdain with every word.

Xiao Jinghuai’s face stiffened, his eyes cold with displeasure. He was so incensed that he gritted his teeth, his voice trembling with rage. "Conceited? Over a piece of trash like you? I haven't fallen so low as to be desperate for your attention. And if you dare spout such nonsense again, I will not let you off!"

Su Yunqing noted his reaction, suspecting that if they weren't currently under the watchful eyes of the Fengqi Academy elders, he would have attacked her directly.

"Why are you so anxious, Your Highness? You said the exact same things to me earlier. Why such a strong reaction now that the roles are reversed? And speaking of stealing points—does it depend on who does it? When you do it, it's 'saving someone,' but when I do it, it's 'stealing points'?" A cold, mocking smile played on her lips, her gaze piercing right through him.

Xiao Jinghuai felt a flicker of guilt and remained silent. Upon reflection, he realized he had indeed stolen her points, but to apologize to a "useless" girl and admit his fault would be a blow to his pride. He would never lower his head.

Seeing his face flush with suppressed rage while he glared at her, Su Yunqing remained unmoved and seized the opportunity to add, "Since Your Highness has no answer, I shall take your silence as an admission that I am indeed helping you."

"Su Yunqing, you are truly shameless to call daylight robbery an act of kindness!" Su Yuyue, seeing that Xiao Jinghuai was too choked with anger to speak, stepped forward to make a show of her loyalty.

"Su Yuyue, how can you say such things about His Highness? To accuse him of daylight robbery—isn't that a bit too much? I can hardly bear to listen to you." She feigned indignation, her face full of disapproval.

"Enough! Let this matter end here. Let's move!" Xiao Jinghuai had no intention of admitting his own past actions, nor did he want to continue this argument, though his aversion to her only deepened. Su Yuyue, seeing him drop the matter, could only swallow her frustration and follow him.

Su Yunqi frowned as she watched Xiao Jinghuai’s retreating figure. Was it her imagination, or did he look at her with dissatisfaction as he left? Glancing briefly at Su Yunqing, she hurried to catch up.

"Your Highness, it was my lack of foresight. I will keep a closer eye on her from now on," she apologized as she caught up to him.

Su Yunqing observed this, indifferent to the forced intimacy Su Yunqi was trying to maintain. She no longer cared for him; in fact, she found him detestable. Choosing to ignore them, she strolled along slowly, scanning her surroundings. Before long, they encountered more demonic beasts—seven of them this time.

Relieved that there would be enough for everyone, Su Yunqi said to Xiao Jinghuai, "Your Highness, we shall contain three of them, and the others can divide the rest."

Xiao Jinghuai nodded. They were the strongest in the group: he was at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, and Su Yunqi was in the late stage, while the two men were at the mid-stage and Su Yuyue at the early stage. As for Su Yunqing, they didn't consider her a factor at all; even if she had regained her cultivation, it would surely be negligible.

With the agreement set, the group moved to engage the beasts. There was no denying the advantage of high cultivation. While Su Yuyue scrambled in panic and the two men fought with desperate focus, Xiao Jinghuai fought with effortless grace. He suppressed his beast, giving it no room to breathe, while Su Yunqi, though less aggressive, also held the upper hand while assisting with a second beast.

Su Yunqing, who had been coasting on the sidelines, waited for the perfect moment. She channeled her spiritual energy and dashed forward, harvesting the points of two beasts just as they were about to fall to the others, shouting, "It's dangerous! I'm here to help you!"

Having successfully secured the points, she ignored their flushed, angry faces and retreated to her original position with such speed that it was as if she had never moved at all.

Xiao Jinghuai: (◣д◢)
Su Yunqi: (◣д◢)

They watched as Su Yunqing showed not a shred of remorse, acting as if nothing had happened as she faced the remaining beasts. Their chests heaved with rage, the flames of anger rising higher.

But there was no time to argue. In their moment of distraction, the beast they had been containing seized the opening and launched a counterattack. They were caught off guard and sent stumbling backward, taking a moment to recover.

Meanwhile, Su Yunqing was dealing with her own beast. She struck the same spot repeatedly until the beast's left leg, unable to bear the concentrated force, buckled. Seizing the opening, she channeled her spiritual energy into her left hand while gripping a dagger in her right. Before the beast could recover, she drove the dagger into its neck and slammed her energy-infused palm onto its crown. The beast collapsed, lifeless.

Seeing the points secured, she didn't linger. She sped toward Xiao Jinghuai and the others, but this time they were prepared and blocked her path. Ignoring their obstruction, Su Yunqing pivoted and bypassed them, heading straight for the injured beast they were fighting.

"Su Yunqing!" Xiao Jinghuai charged forward, veins bulging on his forehead with fury.

Su Yunqi shed her usual gentle, poised demeanor, her voice sharp with anger. "Don't go too far!"

Their threats did not deter her. With a decisive strike, she snatched the fruits of their labor once again. Su Yunqing knew they were furious, but so what? She had done it on purpose—they were the ones who had crossed her first!